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    • The Brain and the Mind

      by Douglas De Long

      (Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

      "The mind of man is capable of anything— because everything is in it, all the past as well as the future."—Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

      Most people think of the brain and the mind as being one and the same thing. Doctors, scientists, and other highly trained persons share this belief. People from all walks of life use the words "brain" and "mind" interchangeably. In reality, they are two separate and distinct creations. The brain is a biochemical organ—a part of the human body. The mind, on the other hand, is a psychic organ that is attached to the human soul. Both the soul and the mind are connected to the Creator and the heavenly realms.

      As human beings you are dual in nature, possessing both a physical body and a psychic body. Within the physical body are physical organs and glands. The psychic body—which is contained within the physical form—has its own set of psychic organs. In other words, a person possesses a physical heart as well as a psychic heart. This is the same situation in regards to the brain and the mind, the brain being the physical organ and the mind being the psychic one.

      The mind, a part of the human soul, has a profound influence upon the brain, the nervous system, the body, and all organs and glands. It is the mind that gives all of you the sense of cognition and a sense of beingness. The physical and the psychic are linked so closely together that one does not function without the other. The physical organs and the psychic organs work together in a harmonious relationship. There is a Divine Intelligence from above that orchestrates all of this. This intelligence is part of the Creator or God source.

      On a physical level, the human brain consists of four principal parts: the brain stem, diencephalons (consisting of the thalamus and hypothalamus), cerebrum, and cerebellum. Although all four are important, we'll be discussing the cerebrum. Found in the upper area directly beneath the top of the skull, the cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. The surface area of the cerebrum is known as the cerebral cortex or neo-cortex. Billions of neurons are contained in the neo-cortex. On an evolutionary scale, this is the most recently evolved or developed area of the human brain.

      On a psychic and spiritual level, the crown chakra—one of the seven major chakras or energy centers—is positioned over the top of the head and the cerebrum. It is through the crown chakra that the Divine Intelligence above directs energy downwards. This energy (known as chi, universal energy, or god force) flows from the crown and into the top of the head.

      A spiritually awakened or enlightened person can work with this energy. Through meditation and other techniques such as tai chi and dancing, the individual can sometimes feel this universal energy on the top of the head as a warm, pleasant feeling. This means that the crown chakra or energy center has "opened up." As the universal energy expands downwards into the brain itself, tingling sensations will be felt all over the head and within. This is an indication that the chi or universal energy (which is also known as divine light) has stimulated the neo-cortex causing many neurons to "fire." These firing neurons send electrical energy to other parts of the brain, in particular the rest of the cerebrum. The divine light also travels to these areas of the brain during this event.

      The cerebrum is considered the seat of intelligence where higher processes of human thought exist. The abilities to read, write, speak, and make calculations exist in this important part of the human brain. The creation of music, works of art, and philosophical thought originate from the cerebrum. In other words, some of your creative abilities are stored here. Always remember that it is the mind, as part of your eternal soul connected to the energy of the Creator above that directs and allows those abilities to manifest on the physical level via the cerebrum.

      As electrical energy and divine light enter these areas of the neo-cortex and cerebrum, brain cells that have lain dormant for a long time are stimulated. These cells become active and start to perform their designated functions or tasks. As a human being you only use about 10% of your potential brain capacity. When the neurons fire and these cells become activated, you start to use more of your mental or brain capacity. Thus, instead of using 10%, you increase your capacity to 20% or even 30%.

      There are parts of the brain that contain psychic abilities such as precognition, déjà vu, past life recall, clairaudience, and clairvoyance. As mentioned earlier, the cerebrum and the neo-cortex make up the majority of the brain. It is here that many of your psychic abilities are contained and merely lie dormant. The brain cells within these areas, when activated, will awaken these psychic abilities and gifts. This is partly why spiritual enlightenment and divine inspiration occur when the crown chakra is opened and activated. Divine light and wisdom enter into the crown energy center as well as energizing these areas of the brain.

      As you become more spiritually awakened or enlightened, you begin to reach your full potential as a human being. Not only will you use a greater portion of your brain capacity and increase your IQ level, you will also use many of your psychic and spiritual abilities. This is the goal that a person on a spiritual path strives to attain.

      An additional benefit is that the power of the mind becomes greater. Many enlightened individuals use this enhanced power in a very positive way. The ability to manifest or create beneficial things in one's life increases. You develop the potential to direct or control more of your own life and your own destiny. Think of this example: Consider your life as a ship upon the sea of destiny. Instead of being a person aboard a wind tossed ship on a rough sea, you are a captain and pilot directing your ship to your desired destination.

      Truly gifted teachers, counselors, and healers are enlightened or awakened. They use more of their brain capacity and the power of their minds. They can influence people in a loving and beneficial way. These enlightened people use the infinite power of the human mind to help humanity.

      Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2004. All rights reserved.

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    • Double Vision: Seven Signs from Spirit
      lookforsigns

      Over the last three years, the number seven has appeared to me almost every day through various means. One incident was particularly special: I was going down the stairs at a subway station when I stepped on a playing card that was upside down, and when I turned it over, it was the seven of hearts. This was the point when I began to really take notice of all these sevens! It now happens almost daily. I am aware of the meaning/significance of the number seven, yet I still don’t know what all these signs are trying to tell me, as it seems like it could be so many things. Any light you can shed on this would deeply appreciated.

       – Ani

      Astrea:

      I’ve read and studied quite a bit about the number seven because it has been significant in my own life.

      Sevens occur everywhere and in all religions. In biblical scripture, the number seven denotes spiritual perfection. In Catholicism, the Virgin Mary has seven joys and seven sorrows. Buddha is said to have walked seven steps at his birth.

      The seven candles are our eyes, nostrils, mouth and ears. In Islam seven is the number of heavens. In some religions, there are seven archangels. It’s the number of palms in an Egyptian Sacred Cubit, and of particular significance in Cherokee cosmology.

      Ishtar traveled through seven gates to save her husband. Seven is the number of notes in the western musical scale, and Indian ragas are based on seven sounds and rhythms.

      In Harry Potter, seven is the most magical of numbers. In the Tolkien books, there are the seven Lords of the Valar. There are seven wonders of the ancient world, and the earth is said to have seven seas.

      In Gypsy fortune telling, depending on the suit, the number seven means different things. The seven of hearts can deal with love, jealousy, insecurity, and even problems concerning children and pets. It’s a card of emotion and sometimes a misplaced sense of loyalty in someone who doesn’t deserve either our friendship or our love.

      In Tarot, I read hearts as cups, for water represents our flowing emotions. Thus the Seven of Hearts usually concerns some worry for a loved one or someone close to us. Often it means that the other person we’re focusing on isn’t holding up his or her end of the relationship. Of course, this depends on the other cards that surround it and the meanings of those cards too.

      No matter where we look, we can find the number seven or something representing it. That you are noticing it so much means that you’ve begun your own spiritual quest.

      Ask yourself if you’re happy in your current relationship and if there are issues that need to be clarified before it moves to the next level. Seven of hearts in an isolated case could mean that it’s time to stop and take the next seven steps in your personal life more slowly.

      It certainly has something to do with where your relationships are emotionally right now, so if I were you, that’s where I would start to look for answers.

      *****

      Susyn:

      At a fairly early age, many of us recognize a certain number as being somehow lucky, and once we become aware of it, the number appears over and over again in our lives in some way.

      For example, at the age of 10, I realized that 11 was my lucky number when for the first time ever, I won something at a carnival by choosing that number. Since then, 11 has appeared regularly in my life, so much so that when it shows up, I pay close attention.

      Like our names and birthdays, the numerical totals of these very personal identifiers suggest a certain destiny or lifestyle. Numerologists have written many books and articles about numbers drawn from our personal information. You may want to explore some of them for further enlightenment.

      You mention that you are aware of the meanings and significance of the number seven. Throughout history, this numeral has meant many different things in different cultures.

      Seven is considered a holy number and the representation of completeness or totality in Christian religions. Buddhists speak of seven different heavens; the Chinese of seven different stars representing seven openings in the human body and seven parts of the human heart.

      Until the 20th century, astrologers based their findings on the seven planets known at the time, for they were unaware that more would be discovered in the future.

      Without attaching any particular meaning to the number seven, or viewing it as prophetic, I would encourage you to simply adopt it as your special number. Watch for it and expect it to help you make decisions and serve as a reminder that you are always being guided.

      It is also possible that the number seven is attached to a loved one who has crossed over to the spirit world. These sevens could be their way of reminding you that they are close by every day.

      If you can determine who this spirit is by virtue of a birthday, the sum of the numerological letters in their name, or a specific incident or memory that connects this number to them, you can attribute the daily appearance of this number to them.

      Embrace this number as your own and think of it as one of the very special ways the universe guides and directs you. Like a fingerprint or birthmark, it’s one of the things that makes you unique!

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